Michigan DNR responds to allegations of 'armed raids on pig farmers'

View full sizeMLive File PhotoFeral pigs are considered an invasive species by the Michigan DNR.

LANSING, MI -- Allegations made on a website have called into question the tactics of Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel in their enforcement of the Invasive Species Order in Michigan.

NaturalNews.com editor Mike Adams contends the DNR "has, in total violation of the Fourth Amendment, conducted two armed raids on pig farmers in that state, one in Kalkaska County at Fife Lake and another in Cheboygan County.

"Staging raids involving six vehicles and ten armed men, DNR conducted unconstitutional, illegal and arguably criminal armed raids on these two farms with the intent of shooting all the farmers' pigs. ..."

The Invasive Species Order, or ISO, was issued in December 2010 and went into effect on April 1, 2012, and states that possessing live species of wild boar, wild hog, wild swine, feral pig, feral hog, feral swine, Old world swine, razorback, Eurasian wild boar and Russian wild boar are prohibited.

Alongside the article at NaturalNews.com is a photo of a group of four pigs with what appear to be members of a helmeted team creeping around behind them. The photo is credited to the website.

DNR public information officer Ed Golder said allegations of conservation officers being involved in "armed raids on pig farmers" are just not true.

"There was one instance where the (conservation officers) asked to inspect a site on April 1. The owner denied access to the officers and told them to get a warrant," Golder said. "The officers returned on April 13 with an administrative inspection warrant."

Golder said the administrative inspection warrant isn't a criminal warrant, it just allows the officers to inspect the premises in a reasonable manner.

The DNR website says conservation officers are "fully commissioned as state peace officers with full power and authority to enforce Michigan's criminal laws." And, yes, they can carry guns.

The conservation officers found no invasive feral swine at the location, dead or alive, Golder said, and he disputes the notion that officers shot or forced anyone to shoot their swine.

"The DNR has not fired one shot or killed one pig while enforcing this order," Golder said.

Golder said the DNR worked with many farmers and ranchers in the months leading up to the April deadline to help them find out-of-state buyers for their feral swine.

Courtesy PhotoThis feral pig, which appears to be feeding on a deer carcass, was photographed in a field north of Muskegon.

He said 15 months was plenty of time for farmers and hunting ranches to come into compliance with the law.

"Enforcement thus far has gone very well," Golder said. "Almost all the places we've visited are in compliance and have been very cooperative."

The DNR decided to act on the swine, a non-native animal to Michigan, after seeing a rise in their numbers. The DNR says that by the end of 2011, more than 340 feral swine had been spotted in 72 of Michigan's 83 counties, and 286 have been reported killed.

A feral swine sow can have two litters a year of 4-6 piglets. Based on their breeding practices, the DNR estimates that feral swine currently could number between 1,000 and 3,000 in Michigan.

"The whole rationale is that these are invasive species, just like Asian carp." Golder said. "This is an Asian carp with legs and they pose a threat to Michigan's natural resources."

Golder said the swine are known to be carriers of pseudo-rabies, which is often fatal if transmitted to other wild and domestic animals. That raises serious concerns for the state's farmers and livestock owners.

"It's mostly a risk of disease to livestock but these animals are very aggressive," Golder said.

The DNR website describes feral swine as "dangerous when cornered or threatened. They can become aggressive and charge and attack humans. They move with great speed and can cause serious injuries with their tusks."

"In addition we're concerned about the damage they'll do to game birds, fawns and other smaller animals," Golder said. "They also tear up farm fields and crops."